Inspirational Tales

My guest on this episode is Brett Connellan. From the age of 11, Brett was a keen surfer, whose whole life and identity revolved around surfing. Then, on an afternoon in 2016, he was out surfing when he was attacked by a shark. Although you might consider Brett unlucky for being attacked, nearly dying and losing three quarters of his quadriceps muscle in the process, it was a series of events that fell in Brett's favour on that day, which allowed him to survive to tell his story.

Following the attack, Brett's prognosis was pretty bleak, but his hard work and determination resulted in him defying the odds to not only be able to walk again but to eventually get back in the water and do what he loves most, surfing. Since then he has even run a marathon. However, what might be considered most profound in Brett's story, is how the attack changed his mindset and outlook on life and resulted in him striving towards a new purpose driven life.

In this interview, Brett shares his journey from working towards his dream of becoming a professional surfer, to the events on the day of the attack and how the attack was just the beginning of his journey to becoming the person that he is today. Brett is so much more than just a shark attack survivor. What defines him as a person is not what happened to him but how he responded to it and what he did next.

 

Brett's Details:

Instagram: @brettconnellan

Website: www.brettconnellan.com

Documentary Instagram: @pyrophyticfilm

 

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Meg Salisbury, who joined me to celebrate Rare Disease Day.

In 2016, Meg's daughter Ginger, was the 1st person in Australia and only the 34th person in the world, to be diagnosed with the rare genetic disease KAT6A. As of the beginning of 2022, there are now 13 people diagnosed with KAT6A in Australia. Meg is on the board of the KAT6A Foundation and also liaises with researchers in Melbourne at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) and Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medicine (WEHI), who are working on KAT6A. She also offers support to Australian families, in particular when their child is first diagnosed with KAT6A.

In this interview Meg discusses what Rare Disease Day is, why it is important to speak out and raise awareness for rare diseases and what we can do to help. She also shares many insights into how KAT6A affects Ginger, the challenges and joys of being Ginger's Mum and how the parents of children with KAT6A have banded together to help each other.

Meg is an absolute gem. She is an open book and is more than happy to answer questions and offer advice to those who need it.

 

Meg's Details:

Instagram: @megmajella

Facebook: Meg Salisbury

 

KAT6A information:

Website: kat6a.org

Instagram: @kat6afoundation

Facebook: kat6afoundation

 

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses drug use and attempted suicide. If you need help or support please contact one of the following organisations:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4637 beyondblue.org.au

EPISODE NOTES:

My guest on this episode is Matt Caruana. In 2016, at the age of 16, and after struggling with mental health issues since he was 12, Matt attempted to take his own life by jumping off a 35 metre high building. Luckily, he survived the fall, but when he woke up in hospital, he was confronted with the reality that he now had spinal cord and brain injuries, which he had to learn to navigate on top of his mental health issues.

Now, at 22 years old, Matt has such a powerful story to tell. As you will hear in this interview, he has come a long way since his teenage years. In the years that followed his suicide attempt, he learnt to connect with those around him, he found purpose in his life and he no longer suffers from mental health issues. Not only that but he is a motivational speaker and mental fitness facilitator, who uses his experiences to help and inspire others and raise awareness for mental health.

I know that this is quite a heavy topic but I also know that every single one of you listening will get something out of hearing this episode, whether it be from Matt’s story or from his advice for dealing with mental health issues. So make sure you listen to the end so that you don’t miss out on anything!

Matt’s Details:

Website: www.mattcaruana.com

Instagram: @mattshares

Facebook: mattsharesonfb

LinkedIn: Matthew Caruana

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Krystal Barter. Krystal has an extensive family history of breast cancer and grew up watching the women in her family being diagnosed and unfortunately getting very sick or passing away. After years of believing that their family was cursed, Krystal’s Mum and Nan were 2 of the first women in Australia to be tested and find out that they had the BRCA gene mutation. In her early 20s, Krystal also found out that she had this gene mutation but unlike the generations before her, this knowledge gave Krystal preventative options and she eventually decided to have a double mastectomy. It was while she was recovering from her surgery, that Krystal founded Pink Hope, a preventative breast cancer organisation that has gone on to help thousands of women, by providing them with the education and support that was not available to Krystal when she was going through her testing and surgery.

In this interview Krystal openly discusses how watching her loved ones go through breast cancer, affected her and how she navigated her preventative options during a time when breast cancer was not widely discussed. She explains why she allowed her surgery to be featured on 60 minutes, why she founding Pink Hope and how it led to her meeting Angelina Jolie.

Krystal has helped so many people through her work and I thank her for being so open and honest in sharing her story with us all today.

Krystal's Details:

Website: Krystalbarter.com

Humanise Health Details:

Website: wehumanisehealth.com

Instagram: @wehumanisehealth

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Emmah Money. Emmah was born with Cystic Fibrosis and was not expected to live past her childhood…but she had other ideas. Now in her 30s, Emmah joined me for a chat about her incredible life so far.

As a baby, she was put up for adoption due to her diagnosis. She explains how her adoptive parents gave her the best possible start to life and how she came to meet her biological family purely by chance.

Growing up, Emmah didn’t have any role models with cystic fibrosis that she could look up to, so she set out to become that role model for others. Emmah is now a Mum of 2 beautiful children and created her platform CFMummy to bring her community together and show that being a Mum with Cystic Fibrosis is definitely possible.

Emmah is also a Cystic Fibrosis ambassador, author, speaker and model. She is the recipient of a number of awards, including being named the 2020 Australian of the Year South Australian Local Hero. Emmah has pushed the boundaries of what she was told was possible for her and as a result is living an incredibly full life.

 

Emma’s Details:

Instagram: @cfmummy

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Jordan Thomas, who joined me for this interview, from his hometown of Nashville Tennessee in the US. When Jordan was 16 years old, he was involved in a boating accident and had to have both of his legs amputated below the knee. Whilst Jordan was in hospital recovering from his surgery, he began to notice that many of the children in the hospital were not as privileged as he was, and would not be able to afford the exorbitant cost of paying for new and ongoing prosthetics. It was there in the hospital, at only 16 years of age and recovering from his own legs being amputated, that Jordan started the Jordan Thomas Foundation. The Jordan Thomas Foundation provides children with prosthetics until they turn 18 years old and has so far helped over 100 children worldwide.

Australian NDIS guidelines for prosthetic limbs:

In Australia, the NDIS provides prosthetic limbs for those who are eligible, based on individual circumstances and medical needs. Their guidelines can be found here.

Jordan Thomas Foundation Details:

Website: https://jordanthomasfoundation.org

Instagram: @jordanthomasfoundation

Facebook: jordanthomasfoundation

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM. Dinesh is a doctor and a lawyer. He is also the 2021 Queensland Australian of the year and a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to medicine.

When Dinesh was 25 years old and part way through medical school, he was involved in a car accident. He suffered a spinal cord injury which resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic. In the years following his accident, Dinesh faced many obstacles to completing his medical degree but he did not let this stop him. In 2016 he became only the 2nd person with quadriplegia to graduate as a doctor in Australia, the 1st in Queensland and the 1st with a spinal cord injury. Dinesh is now paving the way for future generations. He is the cofounder of Doctors with Disabilities, actively speaks and advocates for the disability community and is also involved in spinal cord injury research, with the hope that one day those with spinal cord injuries will be able to walk again.

Dinesh is an incredible person, so humble and down to earth in spite of all of his achievements. He has a unique view of life and the medical system, understanding what it is like to be both a patient as well as a doctor. He is a wealth of knowledge and a prime example of the extraordinary things that can be achieved, no matter the obstacles.

 

Dinesh’s Details:

LinkedIn: dineshpalipana

Instagram: @dinesh.palipana

Twitter: @dineshpalipana

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Bobby Hendry. Bobby grew up in the foster care system in NSW, frequently moving homes and schools. To give you an idea of how often she moved, by the time she was 18 she had lived in 40 different houses and with 16 different families.

But when Bobby was 15 years old, she had finally settled in to a school and was enjoying her time there, when her current living arrangement fell through and she was about to be moved again, this time into a group home. It was during this time that 2 of her teachers decided to take her in. After years of moving around and not knowing where she would be living in the future, Bobby finally found herself in a loving home, with stability and a family that wanted her as part of their own.

Bobby is now a wedding photographer, who’s photos will forever be a reminder of some of the happiest moments in her client’s lives. Having very few photos of her own childhood, she understands the importance of capturing these special moments. She also completed a photography project where she revisited the 40 different houses that she had lived in until she turned 18. 

Bobby has an incredible energy and attitude towards her life. The often challenging experiences that she faced throughout her childhood, taught her many valuable life lessons that she has carried into her adult life. In this interview, Bobby is so open and honest in sharing her story, and I hope that by hearing it, you will gain a better understanding of what many children face growing up in the foster care system like she did.

Bobby’s Details:

Website: idlewildcreative.co

Instagram: @idlewildcreative.co

Podcast Details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Joey Mullaney.

Joey joined me from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts in the US, for a chat about his life and the recent release of his memoir 'Stare At Me'.

Joey was 13 years old, when he was told that he had Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare degenerative neuro-muscular disease. Joey initially tried to hide his condition, fearing that people would pity him if they found out and it wasn't until he learnt to accept and acknowledge it, that his outlook on life substantially changed. Joey is someone who sees the opportunities in life. With hard work and the willingness to adapt to situations when needed, he has not let Friedreich's Ataxia stop him from living an incredible life and achieving his dreams.

In this interview, Joey speaks about a range of things, from his journey through life so far, to the lessons he has learnt along the way and we even have a laugh about our different accents. At only 26 years old, Joey has achieved so much in his life already and now by sharing his story in his book and his motivational speaking, he is also helping many other people along the way.

Joey's Details

Book: 'Stare At Me' available for purchase from Amazon Australia here

Website: https://www.joeymullaney.com/

Instagram: @joeymullaney1

Facebook: joey.mullaney.77

Podcast Details

Website: https://inspirationaltales.com.au/

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Lauren Spear from The Orange Butterfly.In 2018, Lauren fell at work and hit her head, which resulted in her injuring her brain. Lauren's condition proved to be difficult to diagnose but with persistence and help from her GP and a specialist, she was diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome. Lauren has undergone extensive rehabilitation over the past few years and has come a long way since her accident.

In this interview, Lauren discusses her injury and how it has affected her life. She explains why she started her blog 'The Orange Butterfly' and also the work that she is now doing within the community, to raise awareness for concussion and brain injuries.

I hope that this interview gives you a greater understanding of what it is like to live with a brain injury and I thank Lauren for being so open and honest in sharing her story.

Lauren's Details

Website: https://theorangebutterfly.blog/Instagram: @theorangebutterfly_Facebook (includes link to join the closed facebook group): theorangebutterflyblog

Podcast Details

Website: https://inspirationaltales.com.au/Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast